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SentrySafe offers a secure way to keep your important documents, sentimental items, and anything else that needs to be safe and secure through all sorts of disasters and situations.  It's always important to have at least one safe and secure location to keep important things in your household and that's why SentrySafe is going the extra length to prove how durable their safes are by burning one live for everyone to watch.  Inside will be lots of cash that will stay safe because that's how high of quality fire-proof SentrySafes are!!!  Tune in tomorrow (August 1st) to watch live!

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How to Wear Teal

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Teal is such a beautiful color and I love how it's become such a big color trend.  I love getting my pedicures done with teal nail polish because I love how it has a bright pop, but yet is subtle enough to go with a lot of things in my wardrobe.  So how do you wear teal and what colors do you wear it with?

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Great (& Fun) Products for My Pups!

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Recently, I received some fun and useful products for my pups and I wanted to share them with you!

 

Zututh is a toothbrush that is easy to use and effective for your dog.  Dental hygiene is super important and not only does it effect your dog's breath, but gum disease can cause long term problems for your pet!   Zututh is a toothbrush designed specifically to fit the shape of a dog's jaw so that you can clean as much as you can as effectively as possible! I really loved this toothbrush and how easy it was to clean more teeth at once, especially because it's already hard to get my dog's tiny mouths to stay open for more than a few seconds! I also found that this brush was much easier to grip than others I've used before!

The Soggy Doggy Doormat is a MUST HAVE especially if this scenario is familiar to you...You clean your home, and then it rains, and your pooch comes in and either shakes everywhere, or has muddy wet paws and then tracks everything in the house. Sound familiar? Yep, thought so! Well, the Soggy Doggy Doormat is a durable yet soft no-slip mat that you can machine wash and dry in between uses.  It uses each little "noodle" on it to absorb moisture and mess so it doesn't get all over your home!   The noodles are made from millions of textured, ultrafine strands that are woven together.  This is pretty much a microfiber for your pet!!   It soaks up water and dirt just like a sponge!!  And it comes in a variety of colors so you can get the right one to match the colors in your entryway!

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Embracing Minimalism with my DVDs

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photo by chatirygirl	via PhotoRee

When you hear the word "minimalist" you probably imagine someone walking into a room with one piece of furniture in it...not true.  Minimalism just means a way of life where you don't have more than you need in a wasteful way.   It's not a right or wrong way to live, but I can tell you one thing, minimalism goes hand in hand with budgeting and staying clean and organized! 


There's nothing like a good move to make you realize how much STUFF you have.  ANd I realized that not only were books annoying to pack and transport (That's why I have a Kindle now), but DVDs are just as much of a pain!

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Spectrum Review & *Giveaway* Ends 8/5

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Spectrum is a go to website if you love cleaning, organizing, and decluttering.   They have a line of innovative storage and organization solutions that come at a great price and are great quality!  Everything is functional, stylish, and built to last.  No matter what room you are working on, Spectrum will have storage solutions for every single one!  They have kitchenware, pantryware, counter top organization, baskets, hooks, racks, wine racks, and bath accessories!

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Staying Cool, My Carrie Bradshaw Moment, and more... [Week in Review]

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In case you were busy this week, here's what you missed on Ask Away!

• I wrote about staying fashionably cool in a heat wave. 
• I wrote about mint as a fashion trend. 
• 3 Tips to get along on vacation with your loved one.
• My Carrie Bradshaw Moment!
• Pssttttt I STILL NEED VOTES! Please head on over to my article on Colorful Outfits inspired by DASANI DROPS on the Lucky Magazine website!!    Just click vote at the top of my article. 

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Outfit of the Day: Pink & Black

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Today I decided to embrace the bright sunshine and wear my favorite pink skinny jeans along wtih a cute sleeveless black top.  For shoes, I decided on the Camilla in Black from Just Fab!

These shoes are gorgeous!!!  They are so comfy and I love the gold detail!  They are very easy to walk in and the way they hold my toes snug is comfortable enough to know I won't slip out of them, but yet it still leaves room to breathe! I love the black on pink on black look too!! 

Why I Love Sundresses

The hottest style this summer is sundresses. Baring your shoulders, showing a little of your back and flirting around your legs and knees, sundresses are elegant, comfortable and attractive. They are a gorgeous addition to any wardrobe, and they are the perfect choice for all of your ho summer events.

Feel flirty and feminine at your next barbeque by wearing a sundress. Available in casual prints and cool solids, you will love how comfortable you are when the breeze can hit your shoulders and the fabric is swirling around your legs. It’s fun and casual, and a sundress will look great with your chic Roman sandals or even your favorite pair of thong sandals.

Sundresses aren’t just for casual barbeques. If you have a summer wedding to attend, you may want to don a sundress. Choose one with a more formal print that is perfect for the wedding and ideal for dancing at the reception. Dress it up a little with a beautiful necklace and strappy heels that let you show off your beautiful pedicure.

These cool and comfortable outfits aren’t just for special events, either. Sundresses for women at fairwindssarongs.com are available in casual styles that are perfect for wearing around the house or going shopping. 

When you slip on a beautiful sundress, you will feel a little more feminine and far more attractive. They flatter your figure in all of the right places, and the thin straps help you stay comfortable even in the warmest weather. If the temperatures cool off at night, you can always pair the dress with a little jacket or wrap to warm yourself up and still hold on to that feminine feel.

3 Relationship Tips for Getting Along on Vacation

Cabin Fever can happen anywhere, not just in the house in the winter.  Even on vacation, after travelling together in a car for almost a whole day, couples can start fighting and getting impatient and irritated with each other.   That's not a good way to spend a vacation.  Vacations should be spent relaxing and enjoying your time together. Here are 3 tips to a better relationship while on vacation!

photo by wili_hybrid	via PhotoRee

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Allison Izu Clothing Review

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Allison Izu is a brand of clothing specifically designed for women that are 5'6" or shorter, so basically petite women!   They have all different designs and patterns and so much to choose from that it will fun browsing for what you want without having to worry about it not fitting your petite size.  Their pants all come in 2 custom inseams, 27" and 31".  Their sizes run from 000 to a size 14!

Everything is made in Hawaii using quality fabrications from the US and Asia.  Their high quality fabrics are comfortable and long lasting and they create jobs within the US and Hawaii!

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My Carrie Bradshaw Moment! (& a check off my Bucket List!)

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So in case you missed my photo of it, the other day on my Wine & Cheese Cruise I had my very own Carrie Bradshaw moment!! This also happened to be something on my 30 Before I'm 30 Bucket List and I got to cross it off! Woohoo!!

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Mint Green Color as a Fashion Trend

photo by CucumPear	via PhotoRee

I am completely obsessed with the current mint green color trend.   I see it everywhere and I must say I love it in the winter and even in the summer. 

The light color ensures you won't get hot in the sun when you wear mint green to an outside event, but I really love how it complements summer skin tones!

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Arooga's Wing Night Giveaway on The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat - Ends 8/2

This Summer, enjoy the local scenery of the Harrisburg area even at night, by taking a Arooga's Wing Night Cruise on The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat!    You can enjoy the sunset on the river while you devour wings from Arooga's! It doesn't get much better than that! There is an Arooga's Wing Night Cruise each month.

The cruises run from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. 

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Save Money on School by Renting not Buying Books!

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Attention all college-goers.  It's not too early to start thinking about your college books you will need when the school year starts up!!!   And instead of buying textbooks, you can save big time by simply renting them.  When you rent, you get 40-90% off of bookstore prices, free shipping, you can highlight and mark them up, there's flexible renting periods, and with each textbook you rent, CampusBookRentals.com  donates money to Operation Smile, which helps heal facial deformities in children!
The video below explains this whole process:

All of this is thanks to RentBack, a new program at CampusBookRentals.com that allows you to make 2-4x more money compared to what you would make through buyback options! Plus there is less hassle and time of trying to sell your books back!


Yet another way to be financially smart!

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Poppin Desk Accessories Review

I have been dealing with serious Writer's Block lately and I decided it would be smart to have a nice work/writing desk set up so I can read and write and get inspired.  I usually just use my laptop on my bed or wherever I'm sitting, so this was quite a task to set up . I needed to get office supplies and arrange my area.   

Well, Poppin is full of amazing colorful office supplies and desk accessories and the one thing I love about them is the modern style and the bright colors that POP on your work space!  Poppin has electronics, organizing supplies, and writing accessories too! I was lucky enough to receive several items for my new workplace set up from Poppin. 

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Riverboat Cruises, Filofaxes, and the Week in Review

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In case you were busy this week, here's what you missed on Ask Away!

• I showed off my organized Filofax!
• I wrote about how to budget for unexpected expenses!
• We looked at the Ombre Fashion Trend.
• I enjoyed the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat for the Wine & Cheese Cruise and the Arooga's Wing Night Cruise!
• Pssttttt I STILL NEED VOTES! Please head on over to my article on Colorful Outfits inspired by DASANI DROPS on the Lucky Magazine website!!    Just click vote at the top of my article. 

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Ozeri WeightMaster Digital Bathroom Scale, with MICROBAN® Antimicrobial Product Protection

I have really been in need of a new scale lately so I was thrilled to learn of the Ozeri WeightMaster Digital Bathroom Scale with MICROBAN Antimicrobial Protection!  That basically means, that unlike regular scales,  don't have to worry about stinky feet and bathroom germs causing bacteria and odor as they grow on the scale.   The Microban protection on the Ozeri scale immediately begins to disrupt the cell functions so that the bacteria can't reproduce and grow on the surface! 

It also uses advanced weight measurement technology with 4 of the latest generation G sensors to accurately capture weights in increments of .2 pounds of .1 kilograms.  The big blue backlit LCD is easy to read even in the dark!  I love it and I even included a photo below of what it looks like! This scale's slip resistant and has impact-resistant tempered glass on the inside.  It gives a measurement so quickly!   ANd it automatically turns off so it conserves battery power (runs on 3 AAA batteries!) 

I seriously love this scale! It's so lightweight so it's easy for me to pick up, transfer, and to use in different rooms! I love the sleek design and the slip-resistant surface.  Also, I have to say that this scale is accurate with the Doctor's scale which is always right!  
This is a must have if you are watching your weight or just trying to stay healthy!
 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Arooga's Wing Night on The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat

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Wednesday was Arooga's Wing Night on The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat in Harrisburg, PA.   I had an absolute blast! It was my first wing night but it won't be my last, that's for sure.  

Me and my handsome James went together and our wing order  was 10 boneless Sweet wings (for me) and 10 hot wings for him.   Then we got to pick veggies and dip out.  It was so delicious and it was nice to have staff their serving us according to what we had pre-ordered as our meal.  Everything went really smoothly. 

After we finished eating, I bought a drink at the bar and we walked around outside on the boat.  It was so pleasant to just watch the water and see everyone else out enjoying their boats with their family.  Another thing I really love about the Pride of the Susquehanna is that there is so much independence.  You can just walk around when you want.   I'm so used to always having to follow directions and do things for a certain amount of time,etc.... but not here!   And everyone is always so friendly and willing to take photos if you need to pose in one and can't take it yourself! It really is a great atmosphere for the price you pay, which isn't very expensive at all anyways!

The cabin of the boat is air conditioned so when it gets too hot you can just go sit inside again and watch TV or listen to the music that's playing over the speakers.   And on a side note, a lot of people have asked if they have bathrooms on the boat and they do but I have to say they are SUPER nice and in fact I think they are nicer and cleaner than most restaurant bathrooms!!   It's such a pleasant experience and I no longer can justify spending money going out to eat or to bars several times a month, when I can just spend less money, once a month, to eat and drink and relax on the water on a cruise on the riverboat!   

The cruise lasted 2 hours and it literally didn't fly by at all, which made me really happy.  I'm so used to having a fun night go super fast, but both times I've been on the boat this past week, I was so happy when I would look at my watch and realize there was still an hour left!

And if you want to win a ticket to the next Arooga's wing night in August, check back on Monday when my giveaway goes up!!!  

How to Budget for Unexpected Expenses

The funny thing about this post is that once you get to the bottom of it, you'll see that there ARE no unexpected expenses if you budget wisely! 

Last week I asked my Twitter followers what unplanned and unexpected expenses always end up coming up and throwing off their budget and finances.  It’s quite awesome actually the responses I got, because each one has an easy solution, that I’ve already been doing…. The truth is there really is NO unexpected expenses if you budget for them, and here’s how I do it.

The responses on Twitter included Vet bills, House Repairs, and Car Maintenance.

That’s why in my envelope system, I put $20 away to each, from every paycheck.

If you put $20 away every 2 weeks, in 3 months you’ll have $120 in one of the 3 envelopes.  Can I just tell you it’s an amazing feeling when I realize my windshield wipers need replaced, because I no longer think “Oh crap, do I have money in the budget for them and when will I be able to buy them?”

Now I just look in my envelope, and grab the amount I need.

This also acts as a mini savings per category, so that you don’t have to tap into your main emergency fund as often.  

So, when you go to do your envelope categories, as discussed in my Budget Blog Post, you can think of what things have thrown your finances off in the past (do you tend to get flat tires often? That’s what the car envelopes for!) and then add that as a category.

Wine & Cheese Cruise on The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat in Harrisburg

This week I got to do something super fun that included the Susquehanna River, Cheese, and a wine!!! Yes...... a dream come true! On Sunday, The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat held it's First Wine & Cheese Cruise of the year!   

 My best friend and I decided to make a date out of it!

 Before I tell you how my evening went, I have to say that I was ecstatic to see my blog's ad on a tabletop on the Riverboat!  Literally, I was speechless!  

 After we boarded the riverboat, we were told to take a glass of wine off the bar, and choose a place to sit.  We were also handed 3 tickets (they would be for the other 3 wines to sample over the course of the evening).  The wines were Dreaming Tree Wines....sound familiar? Maybe because Dreaming Tree is a Dave Matthews Band song...and guess who created these wines... Dave Matthews himself along with Steve Reeder! How cool is that!

 First up was Everyday White followed by Chardonnay!   So delicious! I really like white wines and seriously this wine was sweet but not overpowering... and it tasted great with cheese! 

 Crush Red Blend and Cabernet Sauvignon were next. I liked the red and I was surprised because normally, I'm super picky and only like white wine. 

 And the veggies and fruits and cheese were delish!!   After we were done listening to an informative few minutes about the different wines, we got to get some munchies and then we could walk around on the boat.  This was the super fun part and let me tell you... the next best thing to owning your own boat in the summer, is getting to ride on one and not have to do the maintenance for it so this was such a luxury for me to get to be on a boat.  I saw tons of other people out on the river and it was just so nice to be out on a sunday evening on a cruise! 

 Here I am, rambling to Daniela about how good the wine is and how excited I am to look at the water!

 Striking a pose! Look at the scenery! Such an amazing time!

 And tomorrow I get to go on an Arooga's Wing Night Cruise!! I can not wait! Definitely try out the Riverboat at least once this summer. I promise you that you will not regret it! Plus, every two weeks I have a giveaway for tickets to their monthly wing night cruises and Moonlight cruises so PLEASE ENTER! Stay tuned for my review of the Wing Night Cruise!!

My Organized Planner and Papers

My organized Planner and papers

Hi my name is Ellen and I’m addicted to my Filofax.   Seriously…. But there’s nothing wrong with that because it’s basically what keeps me so darn organized.   I wanted to make a post specifically to show off my organized papers/files to you.

In my work bag I carry an expanding file, which I broke into categories.

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My New Flat Iron from Beauty Stop Online

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Well, it finally happened after a couple years with my old one... but I had to get a new flat iron recently and that is always an ordeal for me because I am super picky when it comes to the tools I use on my hair.  So I was very pleased when I saw the selection of hair tools at Beauty Stop Online!  I have thin hair strands, but I have a thick head of hair, so I am always interested in trying different sizes of flat irons to help get through my hair quicker.  I was very happy that Beauty Stop Online not only offers high end brands of flat irons at a reasonable price, but they come in several sizes.   The product details listed on their website were very specific and exactly what I needed to browse through everything!

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Budgeting on Vacation, Chocolates, & more! [Week in Review]

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In case you were busy this week, here's what you missed on Ask Away!

• I organized the medicine cabinet!
• I wrote about how to stay on a budget while on vacation.
• 5 easy steps to simplify your inbox.
• I cleaned with my Proxi Products!

Pssttttt I STILL NEED VOTES! Please head on over to my article on Colorful Outfits inspired by DASANI DROPS on the Lucky Magazine website!!    Just click vote at the top of my article. 

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5 Steps to Simplify Your Email Inbox

One way I am trying to destress this year and focus more on minimalism (having less) is by decluttering, organizing, and simplifying my email inboxes.  I've posted about decluttering your online life before but here's a few more tips!
I have 2 email accounts.  My gmail is for blog and work related stuff.  It's the email address listed on my business card.

My Comcast email is used for ebay, Paypal, bill paying, and surveys.

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Organizing My Medicine Cabinet

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I already thought I had simplified my medicine cabinet but I found that everytime I reached in to grab something, stuff fell and nearly went in the toilet.  So it was time to get EVEN MORE organized!

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Floral, Filofax, & VOTE FOR ME! [Week in Review]

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In case you were busy this week, here's what you missed on Ask Away!

• I gave myself a little Desk Makeover!
• I wrote about how great of a trend floral is!
• On Instagram, I showed my washi tape for my Filofax off!!!!  
• My July Happiness Project is to Buy Some Happiness!

I NEED VOTES! Please head on over to my article on Colorful Outfits inspired by DASANI DROPS on the Lucky Magazine website!!    Just click vote at the top of my article. Thank you!! XOXOXO 

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